I have always liked the picture of Peter that we have in today’s gospel. The occasion is when many of Jesus’ disciples decided that they could not follow him any longer. His teaching was too difficult for them. They could not understand it; they could accept it. They could not believe it. They went away. Jesus asked the others: “Will you also go away?” Peter replied, “To whom shall we go?" (John 6,67-68)

Often, I wonder what tone of voice Peter used when saying this. Yes, Peter told Jesus “ . . . we believe and know that you are God’s Holy One” (v. 69), but Peter wasn’t always so certain or so faithful! He denied Jesus and abandoned him at the time of his arrest and crucifixion.

Perhaps we are a little like Peter. We are not always so certain about Jesus or his teaching. We have doubts and questions; perhaps we fear what others will say about us if they know that we believe in Jesus.

Faith is a gift. We must ask God to strengthen our faith. Where else shall we go? Who else has words of eternal life?

«Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise . . . » (Eph 5,15). Today we hear more words of wisdom from Paul in today’s second reading for Mass. What does it mean, to live as those who are wise? Paul tells us a little in today’s reading (Eph 5,15-20).

Today’s first reading is also about wisdom (Prov 9,1-6). Here wisdom is personified as a woman who has prepared a meal and now invites us to partake of it. Her food and drink are her teaching. The Gospels portray Jesus as a teacher of wisdom. His words are words of life; his words show us the way to God. In today’s Gospel, Jesus invites us to the table of the Eucharist. Here is food and drink for eternal life.